What are your career goals?

Your career goals should match your interests and skills. Use Learn More Indiana’s career search resources to find the perfect career for you.

1. Plan your short-term and long-term goals.

Did you know you might have a dozen jobs over your lifetime? Be smart and plan now where you want to go in the future—but remember that your plans might change.

Short-term career goals might include obtaining an entry-level position in a career field you are interested in. For example, if you are interested in banking, you might start by becoming a teller. As a college student, getting an internship is a good short-term goal. If you are switching careers, you may have to start in an entry-level position, but your skills and work experience may transfer to other fields. It pays to explore your options.

Long-term goals show how you plan to move up in your career field. If you start as a bank teller, your long-term goal might be to manage a branch of a bank or be a regional manager. Achieving long-term goals requires more on-the-job experience and more education or training than short-term goals.

2. Plan your educational path.

Even if your first short-term goal doesn’t require additional education or training, your longer-term goals will. Learn about your education options and make sure your career goals match your education goals. Don’t forget to talk to professionals in your field or explore careers online to make sure the degree or credential you are earning will help you advance in your field.

3. Plan your career advancement.

Put your career goals and educational goals together in a career advancement plan, which will often lead to creating a college completion plan. Learn More Indiana’s resources on preparing for career success will help you do your best! Learn about interviews, doing your best on the job and more.

4. Plan to pay.

Getting your education can be expensive, so learn about financial aid, reducing debt and finding the most cost-effective college for you with Learn More Indiana’s information on paying for your education.

Led by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Learn More Indiana is a partnership of state and local organizations working to help Hoosiers of all ages succeed in school, complete college and connect to careers.